As many of you know I frequently blog about master drawings
and the process of how they were created.
I am currently taking a master drawing techniques class at the Art League in Alexandria, Virginia. The instructor,
the renowned Robert Liberace, is an accomplished painter, draughtsman and
sculptor.
In todays class Liberace created two very different
portraits using watercolor washes. The
portraits were of my husband and daughter who modeled in 18th costume.
Robert Liberace working on painting of Lily in 18th century costume.
For Liberace the process starts with setting up the pose and
lighting. As he choreographs the pose he
thinks about the light, form, pattern and composition. For the watercolor painting he did of Lily he
used a monochromatic watercolor wash on Twinrocker handmade paper. Watercolor wash, unlike ink wash, can be
moved around and manipulated, ink wash tends to stain the paper.
As Liberace builds up the form he is conscious of not over
working the dress, he wants to keep the image fresh and fluid. He lets the white of the paper show through as the
highlights and lighter values. he uses dark accents to describe areas of shadow. The fluidity of his brushwork is remeniscent
of Tiepolo. The figure’s dress and pose recall Rococo artists such as Watteau
and Fragonard.
For the watercolor portrait of Sam, as a buccaneer, Liberace
started with a light graphite sketch and progressed to blocking in the flat
areas of color with light washes. As he
worked he carefully observed the model and the nuances of light, shadow and color
temperature. The resulting portrait is a
sensitive study, done with a confident and energetic brushwork, that captures
the character of the sitter.
Watercolor wash portrait of Sam by Robert Liberace.
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